# Explain why antibiotics cannot be used to treat diseases caused by viruses.

> WJEC GCSE Biology (Wales) — 2.6.3 Medicines and drugs · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Antibiotics target/kill bacteria (not viruses)
2. Viruses are not living cells / viruses do not have a cell structure that antibiotics can target
3. Viruses reproduce/replicate inside the host's own cells
4. Antiviral drugs are used instead (to treat viral diseases)

## Key terms

- [antibiotic](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/antibiotic)
- [virus](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/virus)

## Related

- [Revision notes for WJEC GCSE Biology (Wales)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-antibiotics-cannot-be-used-73148c8f) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.